Posts in category: Life Style

For the Serpentine Gallery Summer Party held at London’s Kensington Gardens, Sonam Kapoor Ahuja wore a gold kimono-inspired ensemble, straight off the Dior runway. The brand’s recent collection, conceived by Creative Director Maria Grazia Chiuri, explored the impact of French tailoring on the principles of kimono construction. The jacket, a part of the same collection, paid homage to the Japanese garment, maintaining its robe-like silhouette and wide sleeves.

Inspired by origami, the Japanese art of paper folding, the piece also featured stiff edges and a geometric outline. Its opulent gold base was woven with plant motifs, sakura in shades of crimson and moss green, a tribute to Christian Dior’s passion for gardens. A charcoal black zip across the waist added an unexpected detail, giving the outfit a modern edge.

Kapoor Ahuja styled the garment with slim-fitted leather pants, black Dior ballet flats, and a classic Lady Dior bag. A pair of diamond and yellow gold earrings from London-based Jessica McCormack added a charming touch. Her hair was left open, poker-straight with a sleek middle parting. The makeup featured defined brows: soft, smoky eyes; and nude pink lips on a sculpted base.

A stray comment about dark underarms. A skincare reel mapping a routine for your knees. A targeted ad for intimate skincare you didn’t know existed. Suddenly, skin that once passed without comment—the bend of a knee, the rub of an inner thigh, the darkness beneath an arm—was being repositioned as a concern. What was once unremarkable began to feel like something you were neglecting.

This scrutiny often overlooks the obvious: if your skin tone contains even a teaspoon of melanin, uniformity isn’t the baseline. Areas like the underarms, thighs and elbows tend to hold deeper tones, especially where skin folds or rubs. But instead of understanding these shifts as normal, they’re often flagged as needing correction, reinforcing the idea that skin should look the same everywhere, on everyone.

Brands took note and the algorithm picked it up. What began as self-care shifted into protocol. Less about comfort, more about correction. Whether or not you saw a flaw, someone was ready to name it and sell you its cure.

Clinics are noticing the trend too. “We’re getting more and more patients asking for intimate area lightening,” says Dr Sagar Gujjar, dermatologist and founder of Skinwood Luxury Aesthetic Centre. “It’s a mix of cultural shifts, new trends and hyper-visibility.”

Skincare content has expanded beyond faces. The same soft lighting and 10-step routines now feature underarm exfoliants and lip peels slotted between eye creams and facial oils. Even the most overlooked corners of the body have been drafted into the beauty routine.

The rise of niche-zones and intimate skincare routines

What’s rarely acknowledged in this hyper-visible rotation is simple biology.

Areas like the underarms, inner thighs and bikini line naturally darken over time. “That pigmentation is the skin protecting itself,” explains Dr Priyanka Reddy, founder and chief dermatologist at DNA Skin Clinic. “It thickens in response to repeated friction, and in doing so, also gets darker. It’s a functional response, not a flaw.”

But treating these regions like you would your face can backfire. They need different care; one that is gentler and slower.

Mild exfoliants like lactic acid or polyhydroxy acids can encourage skin renewal without causing trauma. But stronger ingredients—retinoids, glycolic acid, salicylic acid—are best avoided, especially on deeper skin tones where the risk of irritation is higher. “For deeper complexions, pigmentation is usually the concern. For lighter skin, it’s more likely redness or stinging,” adds Dr Reddy. “But the underlying causes—tight clothing, aggressive waxing, heat, and sweat—tend to be the same.”

What feels like it’s binding you down, Aquarius? This is the very thing that is lifting you up. You may not see it yet, but it is. It is providing a safe ground for you to stand tall. It is you who must learn to hold your hand and walk through this phase of your life. You may feel like you walk alone, but your guides assure you that a thousand angels walk beside you. Just like a child must learn to take its first steps without support, the Universe is helping you do the same. Have faith, show up with courage. You can do it.

Cosmic tip: Your core never really changes. Listen, you will find yourself.

Also read:

Aries June 25, 2025

Taurus June 25, 2025

Gemini June 25, 2025

Cancer June 25, 2025

Leo June 25, 2025

Virgo June 25, 2025

Libra June 25, 2025

Scorpio June 25, 2025

Sagittarius June 25, 2025

Capricorn June 25, 2025

Pisces June 25, 2025

Chopra Jonas styled the delicate piece with minimal accessories—a Bvlgari ‘Serpenti Viper’ bracelet, stacked rings and dainty gold hoops—letting the architecture of the gown stand out. Her makeup included defined brows, winged liner and nude glossy lips on a radiant base, and her hair was left open in a classic blowout.

The gown is a part of ‘La Croisière’, Jacquemus’s spring/summer 2025 collection, defined by re-imagining mid-century designs. The balance between the house’s signature minimalism and an exploration into European history radically showcases the impact of fine, contemporary tailoring on patterns from the past.

From Vogue’s fashion desk:

“Take the pristine minimalism of this look and dial up the danger. Add a skinny silver belly chain or a chrome waist harness that peeks through the side cut. Trade polite heels for silver toe-ring mules that feel more femme fatale than red-carpet regular. Stack a few razor-thin bangles or wear a single shoulder-length earring for edge. Then throw on a latex trench or an oversized leather bomber and leave it open, because this isn’t a look, it’s a late-night ultimatum,” says Vogue India fashion associate Manglien Gangte.

Also read:

60-year-old Banarasi saris and intricate lehengas: Inside Priyanka Chopra Jonas’ Indian wear wardrobe

Priyanka Chopra Jonas sported a mahogany Maison Alaïa dress on holiday

Priyanka Chopra Jonas’s wellness routine includes a robust rotation of home remedies

Over the past six months, I’ve been flailing my way through a morning mindfulness routine with my partner. He’s a wake-up-at-5-am, black coffee, meditate-then-walk type of person. I, on the other hand, am a performing artist and writer with no fixed schedule to speak of. I live for deadlines and the dopamine rush that comes with it. The idea of following a meditation app makes me want to hide under the bed.

At first, I thought this meant something was wrong with me. That I was failing at self-care. I kept downloading new meditation and mindfulness apps. I scheduled reminders, set sleep timers; nothing stuck. Instead of feeling calm, I felt defective. Like I was allergic to peace.

Trying to meditate feels like asking a jellyfish to be still. I place my hands on my knees and attempt free-fall. For a few seconds, I float; breeze, birdsong, watery ripples and a calming voice telling me to inhale, exhale, repeat. Then: barking dog. To-do list. Creative anxiety. And just like that, the reverie’s gone.

There’s a lot of noise right now about focus and optimisation. Dopamine detoxes, digital fasts and single-tasking. The logic is clear: reduce distraction, increase awareness. But sometimes, zoning out is tuning in. When I stare out the window mid-sentence, I’m not procrastinating. I’m accessing something else: the brain’s default mode network (DMN), that fuzzy, nonlinear space where accidental insights begin to form.

Eventually, I stopped trying to meditate and be mindful, and started listening to the noise instead.

It’s in that mental drift that my most meaningful creative work often begins. I worry sometimes that a deliberately “stilled” mind might flatten those instincts; quiet the jazz of my thoughts, replace soul with structure. Distraction, to me, isn’t disorder. It’s a rhythm. The improvisations of a restless psyche are what give my work its spark. I don’t want to create antiseptic scenes or songs that are technically perfect but emotionally hollow. I’d rather make something messy and alive. My wandering mind isn’t a problem. It’s the engine.

When I was commissioned to write my first musical, Three Women, I was stuck. I couldn’t figure out whose voice the story should be told in. First person felt too intimate. Third person felt distant. Second person was…well, second person. Every version felt stale. I spiralled for weeks. The structure felt stiff, the language forced. The actor’s readings fell flat. I started to wonder if I’d already written my best work. I fixated, rewrote, fixated again.

After the Strawberry Full Moon on June 11, what does the new moon in Cancer on June 25 have in store for us? For starters, each new moon, which marks the beginning of a new lunar cycle, invites us to open a new chapter and plant the seeds to see them blossom at the next full moon (July 10). But since this new moon in Cancer on June 25 comes on the heels of the summer solstice (June 21), which signals the beginning of a new season charged with solar energy, it is particularly propitious for the creation of new intentions. So grab your diary and reap the benefits of its special influence.

The new moon in Cancer, the summer solstice and Jupiter

On June 20, the sun left Gemini and Cancer season began, offering an invitation to take an inner journey, connect with your emotional world and set in motion personal renewal. According to the website Moon Omens, in June, several planets shift from yang to yin, inviting us to introspect, prioritise our inner work and deepen our receptivity.

“Cancer is one of the most sensitive signs of the zodiac,” says astrologer Julie Patriat. “Everything is emotional, sensitive, intuitive and creative.” This new moon invites us to reconnect with ourselves and our emotions, but also with others. Feminine energy will be exalted, highlighting the way we take care of ourselves and others. It’s an opportunity to redefine what ‘home’ means to you. The themes of home, family and relationships will be elevated. In the weeks ahead, the important thing will be to nurture our bonds while cultivating our connection with ourselves and developing our emotional sensitivity. In short, this new moon invites us to keep our hearts open and find strength in vulnerability.

At the same time, Jupiter, the planet of luck, optimism and expansion, will also be positioned in Cancer for the first time in 10 years. This conjunction will foster a desire for growth, particularly in our relationships, which we’ll want to be more aligned and meaningful. The need for fulfilment and emotional honesty will be the watchwords of our emotional ties around the new moon. Now’s the time to lay the foundations for a new personal and professional chapter, which is bound to be buoyed by Jupiter’s good fortune.

These signs will be most affected during this new moon

Since the new moon takes place in the sign of Cancer, whose element is Water, it will have the greatest impact on Cancer and the Water signs: Scorpio and Pisces. According to Julie Patriat’s weekly horoscope on Vogue:

Not only for her acting ability but also for her amazing sense of ethnic fashion, Jennifer Winget is the adorable star of Indian television. Jennifer understands how to grab attention whether she’s dazzling the screen with a classic avatar, uploading festive pictures or attending a glitzy event. Let’s take a look at some of her most captivating ethnic outfit styles, which have won over followers and established her as a true style icon.

1. Timeless and Graceful Saree Elegance

Jennifer’s saree selection shows her great respect for classic elegance. She is usually seen picking designs that accentuate her natural beauty and gracefully carrying herself. She knows how to find the perfect mix between class and beauty, whether she is wearing something delicate or bold. Her accessories are carefully selected, usually simple yet powerful, therefore allowing the beauty of the saree to take front stage. Her hairstyles—soft or sleek—add to the general grace she exudes in sarees.

2. Lehenga Looks: Regal and Enchanting

Jennifer’s lehenga is always striking. She is adept at selecting regal-oriented clothing that combines classic artistry with a little of modern charm. Her lehengas always show her love of fine workmanship and attention to detail, whether worn for weddings, festive events or special appearances. Jennifer’s lehenga designs, which exude grace and charm, stand out when combined with subdued makeup and well chosen jewelry.

3. Anarkalis’s and Stylish Salwar Suits

Jennifer excels in the simplicity of salwar suits and Anarkalis even when she shines in heavier clothes. These styles highlight her adaptability and confidence in embracing every silhouette. She frequently personalizes her outfits with her accessories and the way she carries the dupatta. Jennifer’s easy appeal in styling these ensembles shows that she understands how to create a strong style statement even in basic attire.

4. Festive Glamour ideal for celebrations

Jennifer’s cheerful wardrobe is absolutely inspirational. Her joyous attitude and love of following custom show in her festive appearance. Whether Jennifer is going to a family get-together or a festival, her clothing usually has fine workmanship and elegant lines. She completes her look with a brilliant glow that makes her the center of attention by matching her clothes with well selected jewelry and sophisticated haircut. Her joyful looks often motivate her fans to investigate ethnic fashion in fresh and interesting approaches.

5. Accessory and Beauty Game: Work tirelessly on point

Jennifer distinguishes herself via her mastery of finishing touches. From bold earrings to delicate bangles or subdued hair accents, she carefully chooses accessories that accentuate rather than overwhelm her ensembles. Her makeup looks great with her clothing, highlighting her bright complexion and emphasizing her features naturally. Jennifer’s beauty game is always polished whether she chooses a sleek haircut or gentle waves, therefore complementing her ethnic looks.

Read more – Beat The Heat: Stylish Summer Wedding Outfit Essentials

End Thoughts: An Actual Ethnic Style Icon

Jennifer Winget has clearly established herself as a classic ethnic fashionista. Her wardrobe is a master class in how to carry classic style with confidence, grace and uniqueness. Jennifer’s style provides limitless inspiration for weddings, festive outfits, and elevating your ethnic fashion game. She repeatedly shows that ethnic wear is about expressiveness, grace and honoring cultural legacy, not only about clothes.

Inside me, there are two wolves. One tracks protein intake religiously and washes vitamin C supplements down with chia seed water every morning. The other orders in three times a week and chases dangerous quantities of instant ramen with 10pm coffees. The whiplash‑inducing duality of my relationship with nutrition makes me feel like an imposter among the ranks of wellness girlies on the internet. I feel like both prey and perpetrator in this Instagram‑induced aestheticisation of healthy living. And my latest indulgence is a green beverage that has the Pilates Princesses in a chokehold and the meme bros in a content‑making goldmine. I stand before the jury, a matcha convert.

As someone who is, to most of her friends, the pickiest eater they know (I prefer the term discerning, they prefer adjectives that are less generous), I’ve smugly relished the fact that I have a palate for this utterly divisive beverage. That is, until a casual lunch with my colleagues last week, when a mini epiphany uncovered the root of this proclivity.

Welcome to the confessions of a former chalk‑eater.

Allow me to preface this by saying that I’m well aware correlation doesn’t imply causation. But I’ll also say this: three of us at that lunch table confessed to childhood cravings for chalk, plaster and dust (yes, dust too) along with a present‑day love for matcha. A quick Google search revealed that this wasn’t just a coincidence, as I would’ve liked to believe, but an eating disorder called pica that is most common in children and pregnant women. Those with pica tend to eat non-food items, and for some, the list expands to include the likes of ash, talcum powder, paper, thread, even soap. Researchers have linked this to nutritional deficiencies and potential obsessive-compulsive tendencies, but those rushing to WebMD to self-diagnose—fret not. Pica is harmless in most cases, as it’s usually just a phase.

Growing up, I wasn’t terribly precious about what I put in my mouth. The teacher’s desk was like my very own chalkuterie board; every shape and colour was fair game, much to the horror of my dear mother, who had to contend with a blue-tongued Nuriyah one day after school. I also enjoyed the occasional Kwality Wall’s quality wall, a phase that lasted a few months in primary school, when I’d eat tiny bits of plaster off a wall at home (this time, shocking my father). Eventually, I grew out of it all, but it begs the question: what prompted this chrysalis from chalk-eating child to matcha girl?

What did you do when you couldn’t do a thing? Ask the cosmos for help. Pray. Set intentions. And stay open to help from wherever it arrives. Now, Sag, you are being asked to do the same. You can see your ships, and perhaps they are stuck in a thunderstorm. What are you going to do? Drown or gather your senses and really open your heart to receive divine assistance again? Nope, no one is asking you to sit doing nothing. Your guides simply suggest that while you do your thing, allow them to do theirs without fixating on how things will work out. Connect with others, don’t use them. And the Universe will come to your rescue.

Cosmic tip: Freedom is here for you, choose your path.

You walked away from a solo show because you, my love, are more about working as a team, showing up as a community and building together in beautiful ways. Capricorn, now that you know what matters, and now that you are holding it, please, will you rest your word and calm down? You are not here to win it all in a day; you are here to build together in a lifetime. And while you may feel that maximising your potential means working at something non stop, in reality, you can only optimise your energy and resources, if you allow yourself to get some downtime, to find moments that are worth celebrating and to focus on how each day turns out to be a well rounded one.

Cosmic tip: Celebrations are around the corner. Set your heart free.

It is time for action now. Those of you working on relationships or helping others work on theirs, this is your time to shine. That need to nurture and idealise life can become your money bag if you wish you and no, making money through something you are good at is not a bad thing, as long as you keep your integrity and value system intact. For those who may have burnt their fingers in the past, this is your time to heal and fall in love again, not just with yourself, but also with your life, your passions, your relationships, your bank accounts, everything. You can choose to mother anything you wish to, even if it doesn’t belong to you, and that is your strength. So show up in the world like your love matters and receive all that the cosmos shares with you in return.

Cosmic tip: You can help rationalise emotions and still feel them anyway.

How much will you continue to refine, Pisces? Just make a start. You’ve got this idea, you’ve gained an insight, you are enthusiastic about all the amazing stuff that the break of dawn holds for you, now jump. Take a deep breath, ask your angels and the cosmos to hold your hand and waltz through this amazing time in your life. You won’t know what you’re worth until you begin.

Cosmic tip: On the other side of fear is authority and a willingness to take charge.

The actor sported her brunch-ready look—a baby blue striped Ganni knit vest, paired with a white denim mini-skirt—in front of a vibrant mural. She completed her outfit with a black quilted Chanel handbag and matching black Chanel Mary Janes.

Instagram.com/ananyapanday

For one of her nights out, Panday slipped into a strapless beige mini dress, featuring a heavily smocked bodice with a drop waist, paired with colourful evil eye bracelets. Her makeup was minimal yet striking—electric blue kajal, wispy lashes, glossy pink lips and rosy cheeks.

Instagram.com/ananyapanday